Tacoma blanks 51s to begin series
Steven Shell and two relievers combined on a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts, carrying the Tacoma Rainiers over Las Vegas 51s 7-0 on Friday in a Pacific Coast League game at Tacoma, Wash.
In the opener of a four-game series, Shell (1-1) allowed two hits over 6 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked two. Mike Koplove went 1 2/3 innings and Steve Palozzolo pitched a spotless ninth, both striking out two.
For the 51s, who fell to 13-16, Chris Aguila had singles in the fourth and eighth innings and J.P. Arencibia had their other hit, a single in the fifth.
Tacoma (13-13) scored five runs on eight hits against 51s starter Lance Broadway (0-4, 7.12 ERA) in 4 1/3 innings. Josh Bard had a two-run single during the Rainiers' three-run first inning and an RBI double in the fifth, both off Broadway.
Matt Tuiasosopo contributed three hits to Tacoma's 12-hit attack. Ezequiel Carrera and Jack Hannahan added two hits each, and Hannahan scored twice.
The teams continue the series at 7 p.m. today.
